Plumbing Safety: 17 Tips to Stay Safe on the Job
Plumbers face safety hazards on the job every day, from minor falls and cuts to major burns and electric shocks. Proper plumbing safety is essential for completing every job without incident.
To keep your team safe, you need to identify potential risks and implement measures to prepare for and mitigate these hazards.
In this plumbing safety article, we’ll cover:
Common plumbing hazards and risks
Every plumbing service or repair comes with potential safety hazards. Knowing the risks can help you avoid plumbing accidents and take the right safety measures for every job.
Here are a few common plumbing risks and potential hazards you may face on the job:
1. Exposure to hazardous substances
Professional plumbers often encounter hazardous material and biohazardous substances such as:
- Asbestos
- Chemicals
- Lead
- Mold (from water damage)
- Raw sewage
- Gas leaks
- Sulfur dioxide
These materials can cause serious health issues if you don’t take precautions. Use appropriate protective gear (such as gloves and masks) and make sure you have proper ventilation to minimize any exposure.
2. Slips, trips, and falls
Wet working conditions from leaks and other plumbing activities can lead to slips, trips, and falls. These accidents are common plumbing safety hazards.
Keep the work area clean and dry. Use non-slip footwear. If you happen to have a caution/warning sign, place it near wet areas to prevent an incident.
3. Hearing loss from loud noises
Loud noises from banging tools, pipes, or plumbing machinery can contribute to hearing loss over time.
Protect your hearing by wearing earplugs or earmuffs when working with noisy equipment. Monitoring the noise levels and implementing hazards and control measures can help reduce your exposure to excessive noise.
4. Cuts and fractures
Working with plumbing equipment and power tools can result in cuts, fractures, or broken bones.
Always use tools correctly, wear appropriate gloves, and maintain an organized work environment. Training in tool safety also can help reduce the chances of injuries.
5. Electric shock
Working on metal pipes can pose a risk of electric shock, especially if the pipes are near electrical wiring or fixtures.
Turn off electrical power in your work area before starting any plumbing work. Use insulated tools and wear rubber-soled shoes to minimize the risk of shock.
6. Burns
Plumbers can sustain burns from hot water, steam lines, or power tools. Always check the temperature of pipes and fixtures before handling them.
Use heat-resistant gloves and take precautions when working with hot water systems or anything that generates heat.
7. Musculoskeletal injuries
Repetitive movements and working in awkward spaces can lead to musculoskeletal injuries, such as tendonitis or strains.Practice proper lifting techniques, use ergonomic tools, and take breaks to stretch and rest. Implementing plumbing hazards and controls can help maintain long-term musculoskeletal health.
Plumbing safety tips and procedures
Following the right safety precautions can help you and your team reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on the job site.
Here are some plumbing safety tips to help you stay safe on the job:
1. Build a health and safety policy
Creating a healthy and safety policy for your plumbing company is an important step in setting up a workplace safety program.
Your health and safety policy should include:
- First aid and plumbing emergency procedures
- Accident report and investigation procedures
- General site rules to create a safe work environment
- An emergency fire response plan
Pro Tip: Check with your local and state government to see if a health and safety policy is required and what specifically needs to be included.
2. Create detailed job orders
Your work orders should always include any information that may be helpful on the job site, like:
- The plumbing issue or job to be done
- Relevant plumbing or building codes
- Images of the work environment
- Any potential site hazards to be aware of
Use Jobber’s job management software to capture all the details your team needs to get the job done safely.
3. Health and safety training
Get new hires to complete their health and safety training before starting on the job. Then provide an annual refresher to keep your staff up to date with the best health and safety procedures.
You can provide safety training for your team yourself, or through a third-party or government provider like OSHA.
Use this training to cover plumbing safety topics such as:
- WHMIS training
- Hazard awareness
- Proper equipment handling
- Personal protective equipment
READ MORE: Top 4 ways to get your employees on board with safety procedures
4. Use safety data sheets (SDS)
Safety data sheets help you understand the health hazards of the chemicals you’re using and what PPE you’ll need to safely handle the substances.
Make sure these are always readily available to plumbers (in their work van or tool bag).
5. Inspect your plumbing equipment
Keeping your plumbing tools in tip-top condition with regular inspection can help you avoid accidents or injuries caused by unsafe equipment.
This involves more than just fuel top-ups for your work van. Here are a few steps for effective inspection of your plumbing equipment:
- Create an inspection schedule: For consistency, create a schedule to inspect your equipment daily, weekly, or monthly. Regular inspections help you see the wear and tear early on, so you can then buy replacements or make repairs before you get to the job site.
- Check for damage: During each inspection, check for any signs of equipment damage. Look for cracks, rust, frayed cords, and loose parts. Even a tiny bit of damage can pose safety risks.
- Test for functionality and accuracy: Test power tools to confirm they run smoothly without unusual noises or vibrations. For equipment that requires precision (such as pressure gauges and measuring tools), verify their accuracy and calibration. Bad readings could lead to ineffective installations and compromise plumbing safety.
- Clean your tools: Clean and maintain your tools to prevent buildup of dirt and grime, which could impact how your equipment functions. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines—including lubrication and sharpening—to keep your tools in tip-top shape.
- Document everything: Keep records of all inspections and maintenance. This helps with accountability and tracks the condition of your equipment over time. It could also be valuable later if you need to troubleshoot again.
6. Invest in PPE
Make sure your team has the right safety gear (like gloves, safety glasses, and work boots) to stay safe against a potential safety hazard.
To protect against the spread of bacteria and viruses from working around raw sewage, have sanitizer and disinfectant wipes readily available to clean your hands and equipment.
JUMP TO: The best PPE for plumbers
7. Get the right insurance
Protect your plumbers and your company with the right plumbing insurance coverage.
At the very least, you’ll want general liability insurance to protect against claims related to injury and property damage. You may also want:
- Professional liability insurance
- Business property insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Commercial auto insurance
Talk to your insurance company to figure out which policies are best for your business.
8. Create health and safety checklists
A safety checklist can help your plumbers identify hazards on the job site and prevent injuries and other health risks.
Here’s what a custom safety checklist looks like in Jobber:
You can customize your Jobber safety checklists for specific jobs or work environments (residential or commercial).
9. Use ergonomic practices to prevent injuries
Ergonomic practices help you minimize physical strain and prevent injuries from heavy lifting, awkward postures, and repetitive tasks. Here’s how to improve the well-being of your team:
Lifting techniques
A common cause of strain in plumbing is lifting heavy objects like pipes, fixtures, and your own equipment. Plumbing professionals should:
- Evaluate the weight and size of the object before lifting it. If it’s too heavy, get assistance or use a lifting device.
- Bend at the knees and keep your back straight when lifting. “Lift with your legs,” as they say. And not with your back.
- Hold the object close to your body to maintain balance.
- Turn your whole body instead of twisting it when moving an object. Twisting can increase the risk of back injuries.
Tools to reduce physical strain
Using the right tools can help you perform plumbing services more efficiently and with less physical effort. Consider the following:
- Pipe stands and supports can hold pipes in place, reducing the need to manually support them.
- Rolling carts help you transport heavy tools and plumbing fixtures around the job site, instead of carrying them by hand.
- Power tools, such as electric pipe cutters and drills, reduce the need for manual efforts that are repetitive.
- Workbenches that can be adjusted to different heights can help you work at a comfortable level.
Regular breaks and stretching
Taking breaks and stretching during the workday can help alleviate muscle tension and prevent strain.
Encourage your team to take short breaks every hour to rest and stretch. This can prevent muscle fatigue and improve focus.
Simple stretching exercises—such as neck stretches, shoulder rolls, and back bends—help keep muscles flexible.
The best PPE for plumbers
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to protect you from potential injury on the job. For optimal plumbing safety, the best PPE includes:
1.Protective eyewear
Safety glasses can help protect your eyes from flying debris and hot water or chemical splashes. Wear eye protection when you’re using harsh chemicals or power tools.
Pro Tip: Prescription glasses and safety glasses are not created equal when it comes to safety on a job site. If you wear prescription glasses, find a pair of protective glasses that fit comfortably over your frames.
2. Plumbing gloves
Your hands are one of your most valuable plumbing tools, which is why it’s important to protect them from cuts, burns, chemicals, biohazards, and more.
You’ll want to invest in different types of plumbing gloves like nitrile and leather to protect your hands from every hazard.
3. Non-slip safety boots
Protect your feet from heavy falling objects and avoid slipping on wet surfaces with a good pair of safety boots. To keep safe and comfortable all day long, look for boots that have these features:
- Waterproof
- Oil and slip-resistant
- Steel toe or steel cap
- Electrical hazard protection
- Lightweight and comfortable
4. Masks
Wearing a mask on the job can help protect your lungs from dangerous elements on the worksite.
When working with potentially toxic substances like mold or asbestos, it’s best to wear a respirator mask.
Dust masks, on the other hand, will protect you from non-toxic dust caused by cutting pipes, or dirty work environments.
Wearing a face mask in a customer’s home can help protect you against potential airborne viruses.
5. Face shields
Similar to masks, face shields provide additional protection for your face against splashes, flying debris, and hazardous substances. Use them with safety glasses or goggles for even better face protection.
6. Knee pads
Knee pads give you some cushioning and support when kneeling on hard surfaces. Look for durable pads with adjustable straps for a comfortable fit.
7. Coveralls
Coveralls protect your skin and clothing from just about everything you might encounter on the job site. Choose coveralls that are made from durable, flame-resistant materials. Make sure they’re easy to move around in before you spend an entire day uncomfortable.
8. Earplugs
Sharp and loud noises on the job site can cause long-term damage to your ears. Use earplugs when working with loud machinery or on noisy worksites like construction zones.
READ MORE: Investing in a safety program: a little goes a long way
When it comes to plumbing safety, creating a safe working environment requires you to know the risks and be prepared for anything. Make identifying risks easier with Jobber’s custom safety checklists.
Originally published in April 2022. Last updated on August 8, 2024.